Continuity of democracy vital to strengthen institutions: Ahsan

ISLAMABAD, July 14 (APP): Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal has said continuity of democratic system was vital to strengthen institutions in the country.

Talking to a private news channel, he lauded the political
traditions and institutions in the United Kingdom (UK) and said there was a history of hundreds of years of rule of law with continuity to attain this position.

On the other hand in Pakistan, he said dictators had ruled
the country for more than 35 years and the democratic system had been halted many times. In a situation where martial laws were imposed, how institutions could have been strengthened in the country, he asked.

Ahsan Iqbal said,”It takes time to strengthen institutions,
therefore democracy should be given time.”

He said politics of agitation and sit-ins was a hurdle in the
country’s stability and growth of institutions so constructive
politics should be done by all political parties.

He said national resources were looted in the past while the
incumbent government had taken a number of steps to utilize sources with care. Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif slashed the size of Prime Minister House staff.

The minister said only politicians were easy target of
everyone to criticize for corruption while this menace existed in other departments as well.

He said current cabinet consisted of highly qualified,
professional and competent members and they were doing well in their areas.